PM, Sharif assert need for talks

Vajpayee, official sources here said, told Sharif that the situation that had arisen in Kargil necessitated that there should be a goodwill on both sides,

8220;It is upto Islamabad to take the first step in resolving the matter,8221; Vajpayee said during his 20-minute talk amid mounting tension in Kargil where the Indian Air Force combat aircraft were engaged for the last three days to flush out Pakistan-backed infiltrators.

Vajpayee asserted that the Indian operation to neutralise the militants had been carried out within its own territory.

A report from Karachi said Sharif told Vajpayee that the use of fighter jets in Jammu andKashmir would not solve the problems there and the only way was to resolve them through talks.

8220;I talked to Vajpayee today over telephone and asked him where is this leading to,8221; Sharif told a public meeting in Karachi.

8220;I told him and he agreed that there is no solution to Kashmir except table talks,8221; Sharif said.

This was the second telephonic talk between the two leaders within a week. Vajpayee had conveyed to Sharif on Monday that India would not allow intrusion in Kargil and would take all possible steps to clear the area of infiltrators.